Football - Au Cap second division league champions |16 November 2017

Au Cap claimed the second division league title with a hard fought 3-1 win over Glacis in a top-of-the-table clash on Tuesday evening at Stad Linite.

Au Cap completed their league campaign with another win to reach 52 points in a season where they are top scorers in all divisions with 69 goals in the first season under the guidance of coach Roger Labonté who joined them after parting company with St John Bosco who were relegated from the top flight this season in a turnaround of fortune for this former English River and national team defender.

Au Cap took the lead as early  as the 10th minute when Julio Dine picked up a loose ball in midfield and stormed through the Glacis defence before placing the ball past goalkeeper Kitson Cecile for a 1-0 lead.

Glacis should have hit back straight away as Steven Telemaque combined with Hendrix Labrosse to open up the Au Cap defence but Telemaque flashed his shot across goal.

In the 15th minute, Glacis’ Collin Tirant launched a long throw-in which was flicked on by Steve Henriette but captain Jerry Azemia hooked the ball wide of goalkeeper Terence Mondon’s goal.

In the 24th minute at the other end, Mederic Jean-Baptiste received a long ball and his attempted lob over a stranded goalkeeper Kitson Cecile came back off the crossbar as Glacis rode their luck.

Au Cap doubled their lead in the 32nd minute from a poor back pass by substitute Ted Cupidon to goalkeeper Kitson Cecile who was pressured and his clearance fell to Gael Albert who latched onto the ball but was fouled in the box by Tirant to give away a penalty awarded by referee Emile Fred assisted by Hensley Petrousse who had also flagged for the infringement.

Au Cap captain Dean Balette was assigned the spot kick and he tucked it past goalkeeper Cecile to make it 2-0 for his team.

Glacis went close to reduce the arrears in the 36th minute from a pinpoint cross from Telemaque to Carlos Onezime whose goal-bound header was pushed out by a great save from goalkeeper Mondon to maintain his team’s two-goal advantage at half-time.

Glacis tried to throw more men forward to get back in this match after the interval and in the 54th minute, Mervin Constant should have done better when he was clean through but missed the target.

Two minutes later, Tirant lofted a high ball in the Au Cap penalty area which was met by Henriette but his dipping header was tipped over by goalkeeper Mondon.

Glacis cut their opponents’ lead in the 58th minute when Au Cap defender Savio Labiche handled Cupidon’s long ball in the penalty area and referee Fred once again pointed to the spot.

Steven Telemaque stepped up to shoot low despite a brave attempt by goalkeeper Mondon to turn away the ball as he got a touch to it but it rolled into the net for 1-2 score-line.

Au Cap should have regained their two-goal lead in the 64th minute from Jean-Baptiste’s cross-field pass to Dine who centred in the box to Albert who missed the ball which fell to Jean-Baptiste whose stinging shot came off the foot of the post.

Au Cap scored again in the 71st minute from Mangel Adonis’ corner which Jemmy Volcy forced over the goal-line to make it 3-1 in a crowded penalty area.

Glacis though kept pressing and in the 81st minute, Cupidon saw his floated free kick graze the crossbar before sailing out of play.

In added time, substitute Marcus Emmanuel tried to scoop the ball over goalkeeper Mondon but the Au Cap custodian was equal to the task.

In the dying seconds, Steven Telemaque weaved his way on the edge of the penalty area and managed to rifle the ball which hit the post but goalkeeper Mondon cleared the danger as Glacis came short of pipping favourites Au Cap to the second division title.

Au Cap manager Nichol Dogley was very proud of his team’s achievement after a long wait to reach the top flight.

“We have had a very good season and our results have improved since the appointment of coach Roger Labonte at the start of the season. He has made the difference to our team as he knows this young group of players very well since their school days at Pointe Larue. Coach Labonte has brought discipline to the squad and today we have reaped the rewards after a seven-year wait for this title and promotion,” the Au Cap manager related to Sports NATION.

R. J-L.